Palmetto Bay celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by bringing in the kiddie troops.

Preschoolers at the Alexander Montessori School came equipped with watering cans and child-sized garden tools.

They helped Palmetto Bay plant several trees in and near the village's new butterfly garden at Ludovici Park, 17641 Old Cutler Rd. The Palmetto Bay Garden Club recently created the new garden in the park near the Palmetto Bay Branch Library and Community Room.

Every year Palmetto Bay celebrates Arbor Day as part of its membership as a TreeCityUSA community. The village became part of the tree community in 2008.

``Arbor Day is an important day for the Village of Palmetto Bay that serves many important purposes, not the least of which is to bring us back to nature,'' Mayor Eugene Flinn said. ``It provides an opportunity in our green-conscious village to remember that now is the time to make outdoor lifestyle changes that have positive and direct impact on our environment.''

Local artist Xavier Cortada also was also at the tree-planting to introduce his eco-art project to the Palmetto Bay community.

His Reclamation Project is aimed at restoring native habitats for plants and animals in coastal communities.